As forms of entertainment built around consistent growth, online casinos have seen significant evolution since their introduction in the late 90s. Since this time, the types of opportunities on offer have developed considerably, from simple games to expansive and advanced software systems.
So why is it that, despite a massive increase in hardware and software potential, the humble slot remains the backbone of modern online casinos?
The flexibility of slots
As soon as slots made the move from hardware to software, the advantages of the digital shift became clear. They might have originated from physical machines, but software solutions immediately offered vastly improved flexibility in terms of design.
On a competitive level, this was seen with the development of online slot tournaments. Operating alongside regular slot winnings, these tournaments utilize digital gamification systems to generate competitions where none were possible before. Resulting in prizes from cash to free spins, this is one of many modern ways that slots can up winnings for lucky players.
These system-wide advantages also play into how typical online bonus systems function. Today, when you play online slots for real money, some of the most common specials come in the form of free spins. Tying into how much players deposit, slots are rare in how well they integrate with bonus systems, making them a reliable way to introduce new players.
For the direct software of slot games, advancements have been the result of the inevitable and unstoppable march of technological progress. What used to be simple translations of hardware slots soon rose above, with wildly creative systems, special features, and bonuses opening a new world of potential. From expanding reels to stacked symbols, minigames, and more, the former limitations of hardware have been shattered.
An ease of access
The other side of this equation comes from the immense and still growing avenue of mobile online casino access. While playing on smartphones was originally a novelty, today’s HTML5 and advanced devices allow experiences on par with much of the best that desktops have to offer.
Considerable thanks here also need to go to the control systems on which slot games rely. Unlike many other mobile forms of entertainment, slots can be controlled perfectly through basic touch interfaces. This overcomes the clumsiness that other uses can imply, putting slots above many contemporaries within and without the online casino arena.
An expanding future
With more online casinos and software companies leaning on slots than ever before, the future for this arm of the industry is only growing brighter. From an expansion of existing software developers like Microgaming and IGT to an increasing reliance on free spin bonuses and tournament play, development towards slot avenues is an established industry strength.
The only real question left is how well future tech like VR and 5G might integrate with slot game dominance. Whatever the case, there is little doubt that, whatever comes next in the world of online casino technology, slots will be there on the mainstage.
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